Often Seen Authentic Nippon Marks For Comparison to the Fake Marks

Note the centered ¼” Leaf-Green or Blue stem and letter formation. Used 1891 to 1911 Found in magenta, green and blue. Used 1911 to 1921.

Authentic RC Marks

Authentic Rising Sun Mark

Fake & Misrepresented Nippon Marks Wreath Marks

Fake Green Hour Glass Mark Fake K & Wreath Mark

Fake M in Wreath-Note the Fake Red Hour Glass Mark rounded stem and letter shapes

Moriyama Morimachi “Messy” Fake M in Wreath Often confused with Morimura

Rising Sun Marks

“Messy” Fake Rising Sun “Filled In” Fake Rising Sun Mark Mark

“Open” Fake Rising Sun “Messy” Rising Sun with AA Importing Sticker

Often Misrepresented as Nippon Rising Sun

Maple Leaf Marks

Fake Magenta Maple Leaf Fake Maple Leaf-Found in Green & Blue Other Fake Marks

Found on Coffee, Tea & Fake Rubber Stamp Mark Chocolate Sets found on various items

Fake RC Mark Fake Script Mark

Fake mark made to resemble the Picard Decorator Mark It is rumored that the most recent fake M in Wreath mark is difficult to tell from the authentic. I have not found any fake M in wreath that a trained eye could not differentiate from the authentic mark. The most recent fake M in Wreath mark is shown, in this guide, with the rounded stem. The color is generally a lighter green from the original and there are some characteristics of the letters that is also different. The fake items are much heavier and thicker than authentic Morimura/Noritake Nippon. They are mass produced and the quality of decoration and mold is far below authentic Nippon items. These pictures are representative of many of the most commonly seen fakes. Keep in mind, there are hundreds of different fake Nippon pieces out there. I will update this information as I find them. Additional Note: There are many items with a Crowned N mark which are misrepresented as Nippon. The crowned N mark was an original Capodimonte mark which has been copied and used on many Japanese and German items. Some of the marks shown are pictured with the foil stickers. Many unscrupulous sellers remove these stickers as they are a tell tale sign that the item is not authentic.

Fake Nippon Items Wildflower Pattern

Antique Rose Pattern

Various Patterns & Items

This item also made with the Fake RS Prussia mark.

Hair receiver & Rolling pin Chinese made hat pin Holder

Lemonade Set Wallpocket

Oyster Plates

Rose Mist

Violets Fake Portrait Plate

Fake Nippon Marked Head Vases

Please note: There is no such thing as a Nippon Head Vase. All head vases marked Nippon are Asian Imports with fake marks. Head vases were never made during the Nippon era (1891 to 1921). Head vases were made mid 20th century on. I hope that you have found this guide helpful. Pictures were obtained through many hours of scouring antique stores, estate sales, auctions and the internet and I was pleased to receive several pictures from some kind folks that I became aquainted with on the internet. Sources used to research my guide: Joan VanPatten’s ABCs of Collecting Nippon Joan VanPatten’s Collector’s Encyclopedia of Nippon Porcelain 1-4 http://chrissy.com/showtell/imposters.html AA Importing (who sell reproduction items and represent them truthfully as such)